>> After showing her Spring 2010 Versace men's collection in Milan last week, Donatella Versace touched down in Manhattan to celebrate daughter Allegra Beck Versace's 23rd birthday today with an intimate gathering last night at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Close family friend Rupert Everett was there, as well as Alek Wek, Leigh Lezark, and to add a little of Donatella's much-loved celebrity factor, Rihanna and Taylor Momsen.
*image: Bauer-Griffin Online
>> THE MODELIZER —A couple of models turned up over the weekend sporting new, head-turning accessories: Alek Wek attended the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Classic on Saturday wearing a neon orange cast on her forearm — the result of a shoot gone wrong, perhaps — and Lily Cole was captured in London this morning, wearing a ring on her engagement finger — the Daily Mail has pictures. [Fashionista, Daily Mail]
Model Alek Wek is a stunningly gorgeous gal, and at the age of 32, I swear the Sudanese native doesn't look a day over 20. How does she do it? To create her makeup look last night at the 2009 Costume Institute Gala, artist Oslyn Holder used all Lancôme products.
I'm loving how Alek's eyes are emphasized with a customized blend of black- and purple-toned shadows, set off by glossy burgundy lips. If you'd like to re-create this look at home, I've got all the details when you read more
Last night's theme at the 2009 Costume Institute Gala was "The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion," an exploration of how models have inspired and projected fashions throughout recent years. Of course, my coverage of this event would not be complete without a gallery of models who walked the red carpet. (Here's why some big names didn't show up). Oh, and if you're looking for more model action, check out my slideshow of the big six models, full of "then and now" photos. Don't forget to vote on all of my Costume Institute Gala polls here!
To see more of the models, just read more
Models are always welcomed at Met's Costume Institute Gala, but since last night's exhibit was all about them, they felt way more at home. Current models like Hana Soukupova, Coco Rocha, and Isabeli Fontana mixed and mingled with classics like Stella Tennant, Alek Wek, and Maggie Rizer, as well as old-school Supers Amber Valletta, Kristen McMenamy, and Nadja Auermann (left). It was a site to be seen; one that melted my heart. Every one of them ruled, and one young blond model even came on the arm of a Hollywood actor! Let the model mania begin . . .
>> It's official Costume Institute Gala time: Anna Wintour is already snubbing press in her black and white Chanel, Bee Shaffer has already had help navigating in her sheer navy chiffon Nina Ricci gown, and Andre Leon Talley who is wearing "20 pounds" of Roger Vivier jewelry, has already exclaimed "Goddess" upon sight of Kate Moss.
Gisele Bundchen has arrived in sequined Atelier Versace minidress — she says she picked it out herself and they had to make it two inches shorter for her. Meanwhile, Eva Mendes grabbed Amber Valletta's booty on the red carpet, and Shalom Harlow, Amber, Natalia Vodianova, Eva Herzigova, and Stella Tennant have made a red carpet block while they stop to exchange air kisses.
UPDATE: More designer and model pictures have been added to the gallery!
*image: source, source, WENN.com
The starry night of the Golden Globes does not end after the curtain goes down. Au contraire. After parties buzz with excitement and elation after the evening. HBO and InStyle threw two major parties. We all fawned over the gorgeous gowns of the awards' attendees, but more famous faces showed up to shmooze and rub shoulders with Hollywood's elite. Here are some of the best dressed of the after parties — party on.
To see who else showed up in style for the after parties, read more
»Kate Moss has been dropped entirely from Grazia's best-dressed list, Agyness Deyn fills the No. 1 slot [The Cut]
»Alek Wek's 16-year-old niece Atuai is making a go at modeling [Of the Minute]
»Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana are enjoying their vacation, for sure; Katy Perry has been tapped to play the D&G after party in Milan [TMZ, Chic Report]
»Fashion mag assistants augment their low salaries by "stalling to steal" [Style File]
»Alexander Wang loves his Cheap Mondays [Refinery29]
»Naomi Campbell, still vacationing with that billionaire boyfriend of hers [PopSugar UK]
»Diane von Furstenberg: designer, CFDA president, travel writer [Fashionista]
»Simon Doonan adores Tilda Swinton, so does W [Washingtonian, W]
»Barneys Warehouse Sale starts Thursday [Racked]
»Cult fave Mischen is showing for the first time at New York Fashion Week [The Cut]
»Vogue scribe Plum Sykes is developing a comedy for NBC [Variety]
»Bottega Veneta's motto in the '70s was "When Your Own Initials Are Enough" [Vanity Fair]
*image: bauer-griffin online
>> This morning, the July 2008 Vogue Italia hit stands, and we've got the scans to prove it. The magazine features an 11-page spread, "Elegance as a Form," with Yasmin Warsame and devotes 9 pages to America's Next Top Model alum Toccara Jones in addition to the two editorials we've already seen: Naomi Campbell's 9-page luxe spread and the 25-page ode to new girl Sessilee Lopez.
But I saved the best for last: "Modern Luxe" by Steven Meisel, spanning 15 pages, and featuring everyone from Noemie Lenoir to Kiara Kabukuru to Jourdan Dunn.
*image: source
>> THE MODELIZER —For all of those wondering about Alek Wek's surprise appearance on the Golden Globes red carpet last night, she apparently sat front row and center at the show in Dior, as a unnamed film executive's date. [